Coach Charlie Spoonhour Dies at 72

In a sad bit of news, former Missouri State, Saint Louis and UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour passed away this morning at the age of 72. Spoonhour was responsible for turning around a St. Louis basketball program and finished with a 373-202 record in 19 years as a DI head coach.

“In seven seasons (1992-99) at St. Louis U., where “Spoonball” became a box-office hit, Spoonhour’s teams compiled a 122-90 record, making three NCAA appearances. At Missouri State (then Southwest Missouri State), his teams were 197-81 in nine seasons (1983-92) with five NCAA bids.

He finished his coaching career at University of Nevada-Las Vegas from 2001-04 with a 57-31 mark.

“The entire Missouri State University family is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Spoonhour,” said MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “His legacy is one of class, distinction and achievement, and he will be dearly missed by the many lives he touched in his many endeavors.”

“Spoon,” as he affectionately was known, is survived by his wife, Vicki, and two sons: Jay, who is head basketball coach at Moberly Area Community College; and Stephen.“